wp 1212 research assignments spring 2015 (1)

7/21/2019 WP 1212 Research Assignments Spring 2015 (1)

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Spring 2015

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Student Name:_________________________________________________________________________

Course and Section: ____________________________________________________________________

Instructor: __________________________________ Date: ____________________________________

Research Assignments 1-4 wil l enable you to deepen your understanding of the research process and to

refl ect thoughtful ly on your eff orts and experiences. The fol lowing Research Assignments will also

increase your inf ormation l iteracy ski ll s by asking you to practice research skil ls with dif ferent kinds of

sources, from reference material to websites. Lets begin!

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PPAARRTTAAResearch Assignment 1 will help you focus your topic and generate the relevant terms and key words

that you will need to use throughout your research process. Part A can be started in class.

TIP: Refer to Chapter 2 of The Scott, Foresman Handbook for WritersHow Do You Find and Explore

a Topic?

11.. Finding a focus

a. What is the topic you will research for your paper?

Topic: ________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

b. Which are various aspects of this topic (social, ethical, legal, etc.)?

Aspects: ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

If your instructor or classmates suggest that your topic is not narrow enough, discuss it further withyour instructor during office hours.

Your instructor may also suggest that you visit the Student Academic SupportServices to seek

additional assistance on topic selection and focus.

22.. Finding appropriate research terms

What are some key terms that are relevant to your research topic?

Terms: ______________________________________________________________

Broader Terms:______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Narrower Terms:____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Related Terms: ______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________


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WP 1212 Academic Writing & Research

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PART BTo assist you in finding the most appropriate subject terms, consult the reference materialavailable in the

Library. Reference material will introduce you to the background of your topic and will help you understand

the broader context within which you will find your more focused topic. Starting with reference materials is

a useful strategy for whenever you begin exploring a topic in any of your other courses.

You will find electronic reference sourcesthrough theBooks > Reference Resources link on the

Library webpage. For specialized reference sources you can consult databases like Credo Reference.

Things to Do

1. Find material relevant to your topic in at least 2online reference sources using the terms you have

noted down in PART A. You can access online encyclopediasthrough theBooks>Reference

Resources link on the Library website (e.g., Credo Reference).

2.

Create an AnnotatedBibliography:

a.

First,record the bibliographic detailsof each of the two (or more) reference sources you

locate. Then word-process the bibliography of the reference sources you have read and

selected as relevant to your specific topic and argument. We recommend MLA

documentation style for this class. For guidelines on academic reference styles consult:

The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers Part VIII Documentation

DEREE Library website

The Purdue OWL website

b. Second, annotate each source:

Summarizethe source in 3-4 sentences, identifying the main focus and important

supporting points. Discuss in 2-3 sentences the following questions:

How do you see your topic differently in light of the new background information from this

reference source? How does it contribute to and inform your research? For example, does it

support or contradict your ideas about your topic? In what way would you use this source in your

research paper?

3. As you read the articles you have selected from each reference source, underline key terms

(broader, narrower, and /or related) relevant to your research topic.

4.

List below the newkey terms you discovered that are relevant to your research topic:

Related Terms: _______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Broader Terms: _______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Narrower Terms: ______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________


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TIP: If you come across a term you are not familiar with, look it up in a college dictionary such as the

Oxford Reference (Library website>Books>Reference Resources). Several print reference resources can also

be found at the reference section in the Library.

5. Print-out the article(s) or chapter(s) you have selected from each source.

6.

Write aReflection Paragraph (200 words):

Discuss how you spent your time in the Library; the search terms you used; the sources you

rejected and why; the questions you posed to the Reference Desk; any new discoveries you

made concerning your topic.

Reflect on what you have learned about the research processthrough doing Research

Assignment 1.

7. Which specific controversialaspect of your topic will you debate in your research paper? Which is

the research question that will guide your research?

Specific aspect: ________________________________________________________________________

Research Question: ____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

9. Create a WorkingTopic Proposal of 250-300 words. (See Chapter 2 Section 2d of the The Scott,

Foresman Handbook for Writerspp.25-26 for suggestions on writing your own topic proposal.)

Checkl ist for Things to Submi t with Research Assignment 1

Annotated Bibliography

Printouts of reference source material Reflection Paragraph

Working Topic Proposal


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Research Assignment 2 will help you to discover relevant books in the John S. Bailey Library.

Things to Do

1.

Use the Library Catalog to find at least 3 books (circulating and /or eBooks)relevant to your topicusing the terms you have noted down in Research Assignment 1.

2. Use the My Listtool on the Library catalog to keep track of books. Print out this list.

3. Select 1 or 2 chapters (or parts of chapters) that are relevant to your focus and read them closely.

4. Create an Annotated Bibliography:

a.

First, record the bibliographic detailsof each of the three (or more) books you locate. Then

word-process the bibliography of the books you have read and selected as relevant to your

specific topic and argument. We recommend MLA documentation style for this class. Forguidelines on academic reference styles consult:

The Scott Foresman Handbook for Writers Part VIII Documentation




Summarizethe source in 3-4 sentences, identifying the main argument and important

supporting points.

Assessthe source in 3-4 sentences by responding to the following questions: Who producedthe information? What are the credentials of the author(s)? Where is it published or posted?

When was it published or posted? Does the information represent a particular viewpoint?

What are the sources cited by this source? Is the source and its information reliable?

Discussin 2-3 sentences the following questions:

How do you see your topic differently in light of this source? For example, how does this

book contribute to your understanding of your topic differently than reference material? How

does it contribute to and inform your research? For example, does it support or contradict

your ideas about your topic? In what way would you use this source in your research paper?

4. Photocopy the first two pages of each book that contain bibliographic information (i.e., the title

and copyright pages). Note: check with your instructor first if you wish to photocopy chapters orother information from the books you find.

5. Write aReflection Paragraph (200 words):

Discuss how you spent your time in the Library; how you found useful sources; the search

terms you used; the sources you rejected and why; the questions you posed to the Reference

Desk; any new discoveriesyou made concerning your topic.


Assignment 2.


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Tips for Discovering Books and Relevant Bibliographical I nformation

Use the Books linkon the Library website and select the Library Catalogto search for books. Add

the print or electronic books you have selected to My List. Print out the list. In the case of print books,

it will provide you with locations and call numbers, so that you will be able to find print books on the

shelves.

Dont forget to browse the shelves! Books about the same subject are shelved together. When you locate

a book on the shelf, look above, below and beside it to find other relevant books.

To search for specific information within a book, use the Table of Contents in the front and the Index in

the back of the book.

To form the citation for each book, use the Title Page and the Copyright Page. The title page provides the

title and subtitle of the work and usually the names of the author(s), editor(s), publisher(s) as well as the

edition, volume, place of publication, etc. The copyright page includes additional information on year of

publication, series to which the book belongs, etc.

Need more help?Seek the help of a Reference Librarian and consult the Libraryswebsite.

Checkl ist for Things to Submi t for Research Assignment 2

Print-out of your comprehensive My List from the Library Catalog


Photocopies of material from books

Reflection Paragraph


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Research Assignment 3 will introduce you to the wealth of information in articles in databases (e.g.,

from journals, magazines, newspapers) available to you as a Deree student through the DEREEdatabases.

Things to Do

1. Find at least 4 relevant periodical articles found in the periodical databases using the terms you have

noted down in Research Assignment 1 or any additional relevant terms you have encountered.

2. Printthe articles you plan to use in your research.


a. First, record the bibliographic detailsof each of the four (or more) articles you locate. Then

word-process the bibliography of the articles you have read and selected as relevant to

your specific topic and argument. We recommend MLA documentation style for this

class. For guidelines on academic reference styles consult:






supporting points.

Assessthe source in 3-4 sentences by responding to the following questions: Who produced

the information? What are the credentials of the author(s)? Where is it published or posted?



Discuss in 2-3 sentences the following questions:How do you see your topic differently in light of this source? For example, how has this

article contributed to your understanding of your topic differently than books or reference

material? How does it contribute to and inform your research? For example, how does itsupport (or contradict) your ideas about your topic? In what way would you use this source in

your research paper?

3. Write a Reflection Paragraph (200 words):

Discuss how you spent your time in the Library; how you found useful sources; the search

terms you used; the sources you rejected and why; the questions you posed to the Reference

Desk; any new discoveriesyou made concerning your topic.


Assignment 3.


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Tips for Searching for Periodicals

Search for articles in the Articleslink on the Library website. Depending on your topic, select a subject

from the Articles databasesby Subject list. If you are not sure where to start, select the Social Issues

guide.

Sometimes you may find an article citation or abstract that is not accompanied by full text. Use the

PeriodicalsA-Z linkto check if the article is available in another format or in another database.

Need more help?Seek the help of a Reference Librarian and consult the Libraryswebsite.

Checkl ist for Things to Submit for Research Assignment 3


Printouts of sources



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Research Assignment 4 will help you navigate the worldwide web in order to find relevant and

reliable sources.Things to do:

1. Find at least 3 web sources relevant to your topic.

2. Printthe texts you plan to use in your research. Make sure your printout includes the URL and the

date of printing at the top/bottom of the page


a.

First, record the bibliographic detailsof each of the three (or more) web sources you locate.

Then word-process the bibliography of the web sources you have read and selected asrelevant to your specific topic and argument. We recommend MLA documentation style for

this class. For guidelines on academic reference styles consult:




b.

Second, annotate each source:


supporting points.

Assessthe source in 3-4 sentences by responding to the following questions: Who produced

the information? What are the credentials of the author(s)? Where is it published or posted?



Discuss in 2-3 sentences the following questions:How do you see your topic differently in light of this source? For example, how has this

online source contributed to your understanding of your topic differently than articles, books,

or reference material? How does it contribute to and inform your research? For example, does

it support or contradict your ideas about your topic? In what way would you use this source

in your research paper?

3. Write aReflection Paragraph (200 words):

a. Discuss how you spent your time searching for sources; how you found useful

sources; the search terms and databases you used; the web sources you rejected and

why; any new discoveriesyou made concerning your topic.

b.

Reflect on what you have learned about the research processthrough doing

Research Assignments 1-4.


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Tips on Finding and Evaluating Onl ine Information

Use this Assignment to find information that is differentin form and content than what you have already

collected. For example, you may find more recent or more specific information than you have in the

previous Research Assignments. You may also find information in a different format or medium, such

as video, audio, and other graphic or multimedia material.

Consult websites of news agencies, political organizations, government institutions, environmental

groups, commercial enterprises, academics, professionals, etc. Note how frequently websites have been

updated.

Be critical of the information you find on a website. To evaluate web resources use the following

RADAR criteriaas your navigating equipment:

RELEVANCE: HOW is the information relevant to your research?

AUTHORITY: WHO is the author? What tells you that they are authoritative? That

their information is accurate and can be trusted?

DATE: WHEN was the information published? Is the date important? Do you

need current information?

APPEARANCE: Can you get useful clues from the APPEARANCE of the site? Does it

look serious and academic? Or does it look as if it was written for

children? Or as if its trying to sell something?

REASON for writing: WHY was the source publishedto produce a balanced, professional

piece of work to add to the body of knowledge? Or is it for propaganda,

and biased? To sell something? Or is it a spoof site, written for fun?

Checkl ist for Things to Submi t for Research Assignment 4


Printouts of sources


Together with Research Assignment 4 submi t a Works Consul ted L ist Works Consulted: The 12 or more sources you have collected up to now in Research Assignments 1-

4 comprise your list of Works Consulted. Compile an alphabetized Works Consulted list that

combines allthe sources you found (without the annotations) to submit to your instructor.

The sources you have collected up to now (at least 12) constitute your list of Works Consulted. You will

probably only select some of these substantial sources to use in your research paper. The works you

ultimately refer to in your paper will comprise your list of Works Cited / References (8-10 sources). As yourefine your topic and focus your thesis, you will most likely need to find additional sources.

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wp 1212 research assignments spring 2015 (1)

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